St John s Anglican Church Toorak Welcome to The Anglican parish of St John the Evangelist 86 Clendon Rd Toorak VIC 3142 PH 98261765 Vicar Archdeacon Dr Bradly S Billings our mission statement What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1.3 4 November 2012 All Saints 8am Holy Communion A Prayer Book for Australia 1995 10am Sung Eucharist A Prayer Book for Australia 1995 www.saintjohnstoorak.org
NOTICES Annual Meeting of Parishioners The Annual meeting will be held Sunday 18 November after the 10am service. Those responsible for producing reports please submit them to the parish office by Wednesday 6 November (preferably emailed). Nominations are now open for Churchwardens, Vestry and Incumbency Committee. Nomination forms are now on the information table. Nominations will close at 4.00pm on Friday 9 November. Men s fellowship dinner Next get-together will be on Wednesday 21 November at Kooyong Tennis Club, 7pm start. If you would like to come, please sign the sheet at the back of the church today or contact Greg / the parish office. Being involved at St John's Toorak The Annual Meeting each year is an occasion for all parishioners to consider their involvement in the parish, not only by nominating for the various positions, but also on the Sunday rosters. Are you interested in participating in our Sunday worship in helping us to make it happen? Areas of involvement include: Reading the Bible readings Leading the Prayers of Intercession Assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion Anyone interested in one or more of these areas of involvement should contact the Vicar to discuss this further. Training and instruction is provided. Food for Friends Please bring your diaries as the rosters are now available. Food for Friends commences Saturday 1 December and concludes on Sunday 9 December.
A trumpet and organ spectacular in St John's Church, Friday 16 November 7.30pm. Featuring Mark Fitzpatrick (Principal Trumpet, Orchestra Victoria) and Mel Waters (organ). Program includes works by Handel and JS Bach's famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Admission $20, students under 16 free. A tribute to Dame Nellie Melba presented by Savoy Opera, including a display of special Dame Nellie Melba memorabilia. In Buxton Hall, Saturday 24 November 2.30pm. Admission $20, children under 12 free. Ordination Philippa Lohmeyer-Collins (student minister at St John s last year) will be ordained priest at St Paul s Cathedral, Saturday 24 November at 11.00am. Toorak Op Shop needs a helping hand. The lease of the Op Shop which is operated by St John s, Toorak Uniting Church and our Church ceases on 28 th February 2013. The property we occupy at 143 Canterbury Road, Toorak we understand is to be auctioned but the date of the auction is still to be advertised. We wish to continue this worthy ecumenical charitable work preferably where we are now. To do this our prayerful wish is for someone to BUY the current property and lease it to us. The lease would be with the central offices of the three churches. Over the past eight years we have been able to donate $1,015,000 to various charities who have been most grateful for our help. St Peter s Toorak parishioner, Joe Bounader 9827 0080 or 0409 210 199, would be only too grateful to answer any questions an interested parishioner may have about the work, etc of the Op Shop.
Bequests St John's has received two bequests in recent months, from the estate of the late Margret Buckley, and the estate of the late Joan MacLeod. The Vestry received each with thanks and gratitude. Very Special Kids Fair Saturday 17 November 9am- 4pm, 321 Glenferrie Road, Malvern. Fashion clothing, homemade cakes, jams and preserves, fruit and veg, toys and baby goods plus more. All proceeds to Very Special Kids. Commissioning Service - Andrew & Helen On Saturday 8 December, 2.30pm at Holy Trinity Doncaster, 106 Church Road, Doncaster, there will be a Commissioning Service for our CMS missionaries Andrew and Helen (see flyer at the back of this pewsheet). If anyone is able to represent St John s by leading a prayer on this occasion please let the vicar know.
ANNUAL MEETING 2012 St John s Toorak: information for parishioners NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING is now posted on the church noticeboard. The meeting is to take place on Sunday 18 th November 2012, commencing approx. 11.30am and following the 10am service of worship that day, in the Church. ELECTORAL ROLL The Parish Electoral Roll is made up of lay people only who are over eighteen years of age, who have regularly attended worship, who are baptised and are not members of another Church or another parish. To be on the Electoral Roll you must fill out an application form. The roll is updated annually in advance of the Annual Meeting. CHURCHWARDEN At the Annual Meeting those whose names appear on the electoral roll elect two (2) persons from the list of nominations as Churchwarden. The Vicar appoints one (1) further Churchwarden. The Churchwardens have particular responsibility for the care and maintenance of church land and buildings, and of all fabric, fittings, and furniture therein. They also hold responsibility for the administration of the church funds. Churchwardens are members of Vestry and hold office for one year, until the next Annual Meeting. VESTRY At the Annual Meeting those whose names appear on the electoral roll elect up to sevcn (7) persons from the list of nominations to Vestry. The Vicar may appoint up to three (3) a further three persons to Vestry. Members of Vestry hold office for one year, until the next Annual Meeting. The Vestry is responsible for the whole mission of the parish - pastoral, evangelistic, social, and ecumenical. Its particular duties include giving direction for the distribution of church funds, maintenance of the Church buildings and properties, and considering matters of importance to the mission, direction, and spiritual vitality of the parish. Vestry meets each month (except in January) for a meeting of not more than two hours duration. The Vicar is the chairperson.
INCUMBENCY COMMITTEE At the Annual Meeting those whose names appear on the electoral roll elect two (2) persons to the parish Incumbency Committee. The Churchwardens also appoint one of their own to this Committee. The Incumbency Committee meets when a vacancy in the tenure of the Vicar, or a review of the tenure of the Vicar, occurs. If this does not occur, the Incumbency Committee does not meet. OFFICE BEARERS The Honorary Treasurer is appointed annually by the Churchwardens (and is not elected by the Annual Meeting or Vestry). The Churchwardens may also appoint a Bookkeeper who need not be a member of Vestry. The Honorary Secretary is appointed by the Vestry at its first meeting after the Annual Meeting. SYNOD REPRESENTATIVES The parish representatives to the Synod of the Diocese are not elected at the Annual Meeting. Synod representative are elected for a three year period (the term of each Synod). When the term of Synod expires the Archbishop issues each parish a mandate to elect new representatives prior to the first meeting of the new Synod. Nominations are then sought and an election takes place if necessary. NOMINATIONS Nominations for Churchwarden, member of Vestry, and member of the Incumbency Committee, are made in writing, using the provided form. The person nominated must be on the electoral roll of the parish. Each nomination must be signed by at least two other persons whose names are on the electoral roll of the parish, and endorsed by the nominee. Nomination close at 4pm on Friday 9 th November. Completed nomination forms are to be delivered to the parish office or to the Vicar. VOTING Where an election is necessary, voting will be by ballot. No absentee or postal votes are allowed. The chairperson has the casting vote if needed. The Venerable Dr. Bradly S Billings Vicar
WORSHIP Director of Music - Professor Mel Waters This Sunday: 4 Nov All Saints (white) 8.00am - Holy Communion A Prayer Book for Australia, p.101 Hymns: 456;v1,2&4, 455v1,2,7&8, 545 Isaiah 25.6-9 (T Mouritz) Ps 24 Revelation 21.1-6 (C Papageorge) John 11.32-44 Celebrant: Bradly Billings Preacher: Bradly Billings Intercessor: Ted Mouritz Next Sunday: 11 Nov Remembrance Day (white) 8.00am - Holy Communion A Prayer Book for Australia, p.101 Hymns: 47, 138, 784 Ruth 3.1-5, 4.3-17 (B Mouritz) Ps 127 Hebrews 9.23-28 (S Kincaid) John 15.8-13 Celebrant: Bradly Billings Preacher: Bradly Billings Intercessor: Brenda Mouritz 10.00am Sung Eucharist & Baptism A Prayer Book for Australia, p.119 Printed order of service H y m n s : 4 5 6 ; v 1, 2 &4, 1 3, 4 7, 455v1,2,7&8, 545 Isaiah 25.6-9 (M Moore) Ps 24 Revelation 21.1-6 (G Gould) John 11.32-44 Anthem: Lift up your heads (Mathias) Motet: Lead me, Lord (Wesley) & Give us wings of faith (Bullock) Celebrant: Bradly Billings Preacher: Bradly Billings Intercessor: clergy 10.00am Sung Eucharist A Prayer Book for Australia, p.119 Printed order of service Micah 4.1-4 (R.S.L reader) Ps 67 John 15.8-13 (R.S.L reader) Anthem: Rex tremendae (W A Mozart) Motet: Agnus dei (Faure) Celebrant: Bradly Billings Preacher: Bradly Billings Intercessor: John Horan 5pm Evening Prayer during Messy Church (4-6pm). Evening Prayer 5pm Confirmation and Holy Communion
World & Nation: We pray for Anglican Christians working for peace in so many troubled parts of the world. The Church of Bermuda (Bp Patrick White); The Diocese of Ballarat (Bp Garry Weatherill, Clergy and People); St Alban s Hamlyn Heights (Simon Koefoed, Marcus Allport); All Saints Barwon Heads (Abp Philip Freier); All Saints East St Kilda (Abp Philip Freier); Corio Parish reception & Confirmation (Bp Philip Huggins). Those celebrating birthdays: Beverley Haig (Sun); Carol Simon (Thur). Those being baptised: Amelia Vella; Isabella Fox; Keira Bibby. Those getting married: Manning Scarfe & Simonette Foletti; Ian Deutscher & Rosemary Parsons; Mehmet Eskici & Loredana Priolo. For our link parish: Christ Church, Tallangatta, and for their vicar, Revd Canon Malcolm Halford. For schools in the community Geelong Grammar School Toorak Campus (Glamorgan), Head of Campus Garry Pierson; St Catherine's School, Principal Sylvia Walton AO; CRE program and teachers at Toorak Primary School. PRAYER NOTES The Toorak Ecumenical Movement: Pray for our partner churches: St Peter s Roman Catholic Church, Toorak Uniting Church, The Swedish Church. For those who lead us in the Anglican Church: The Most Revd Philip Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne The Right Revd Paul White, Bishop of the Southern Region. For our CMS Link Missionaries: Andrew; Helen; Jacqueline & Alyssa. For the sick and all in need: Sophie; Beverley Smith; Matthew; Phillip Treloar; Hazel Lord; John Saunders; Susan; Duncan Ansell; Jenny Williams; David; Ann Brewer; Pat; Alan. For those in nursing homes and those who are house bound: Nan Milner; Randall Watt; Betty Blomfield; Lorna Mirfield; Dorothy Hughes; Marge Smith. Give thanks for those whose Anniversary of death is this week:. Betty Forsyth; Charles Machin; Alexander Spring; Gwen Higgerson; Thomas Kumar; Ray Beal; John Chaldjian; Margaret Darling; Marion Purbrick; David Ripper; Jennifer Robinson; Jane Gardiner; Bill Parbury; Tom Reynolds; June Todd; Prue Guest; Freda Hooper; Ethel Maynard; Ellen Webster; Lola Webster; Frank Brunsdon; Kathleen Elford; Robina Jenny; Denis Sargood.
SPECIAL PROJECTS APPEAL UPDATE Thank you to those of you who have contributed to the Special Projects Appeal 2012. The Vestry and I greatly appreciate your generous support. Our goal this year is to raise $70,000 to cover the cost of a new Assistant Curate/Children s & Families Minister who will join the staff in 2013. An exciting announcement will be made shortly. To date we have received $25,597. This has been contributed by 31 donors half of whom are not currently parishioners but are friends and supporters interested in the growth and vitality of our Church. We have also received an extraordinary act of generosity by a mission minded member of the congregation who is contributing with half of the cost of the position. Praise God. Recent funds raised from the High Tea will be also added to this fund. However to achieve our goal we need further support of approximately $10,000. If you have not made a donation to date I would urge you to do so. As St Paul says Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:6-8) This is an exciting time at St John s and I encourage you to be a part of it. Together and with God s grace we can achieve many things. We have a number of ways to donate. We accept credit cards over the phone (parish office 9826 1765) cheques made out to St John s, 86 Clendon Road Toorak Vic 3142, cash and through internet transfer BSB 033086 Account Number 871931 please make sure special projects is in the subject line.
PASTORAL LETTER Feast of All Saints, November 2012 The month of November is characterized by some constants here at St John s the observance of All Saints, Spring weddings, the annual Service of Remembrance with the Toorak RSL, more Spring weddings, and, of course, the Annual Meeting of parishioners. Each year, the Annual Meeting focuses our attention on the mechanics of parish life (the finances, office holders, and other matters of common interest), and, importantly, on our vision and directions for the future. My report to the Annual Meeting sets out in some detail the vision and strategic directions for the parish in the years ahead, and gives some indication of where I believe we are heading; as well as reporting on where we have been and where we have come from, in the form of the annual statistics and the trends discernible in them over the course of the past few years. In this pastoral letter I will, however, seek to summarise the detail of the longer report to the Annual Meeting, in a way that I hope will be most helpful to all parishioners, and to all interested people. 1. Where we have come from. The parish statistics show that average Sunday attendance increased slightly (to 128), but is still some way off the 2006 peak (of 138). Nevertheless, it is good to see an increase, not a decline, in terms of the numbers attending Sunday by Sunday. I would like to see this continue, and would hope we reach an average of 150 in the next two to three years. Numbers are not, of course, everything! It is very pleasing, too, that several people have joined the parish in recent times and become regular worshippers, and that there is often a good spread of ages present most Sundays. Looking out over the congregation on Sundays, one sees a large number of faithful, long time parishioners, without whom we could not possibly continue; alongside newcomers, young adults, some of them recent marriages at St John s, and families with young children, growing up as members of our church. I believe God will continue to add to our numbers, as we continue to welcome and embrace those who come to us.
A further, very pleasing, aspect of the numbers is reflected in a steady rise in the number of marriages and baptisms at St John s, which in the church year ending 30 th September 2012 were at the highest point (88 marriages, 90 baptisms) since 2004. This is in defiance of the nation (and world) wide trend away from church weddings, that has seen marriages celebrated inside churches reach their lowest point ever (around 33%), from double that just two decades ago. The strong result means more and more are entering our doors, and also reflects the hard work and persistence of many in putting St John s forward as a welcoming and inclusive place of worship, in the online environment, at Wedding Expos we have attended recently, and in many other ways. 2. Where we are going So where are we heading then? One way to gauge what is important to us, and to identify where our priorities lie, is to follow the money! Like any household budget, and like any organization, St John s Church has limited financial resources. There are many worthy things we could do but we just don t have the resources to do them all. We, like any other individual or group, need to think carefully about what our priorities are, and allocate our resources accordingly. Where we spend our money, consequently, tells you a lot about our vision and about what we want to achieve and believe we can achieve, to further God s mission in this community. The Revd Hilary Roath continues her ministry of extending care to those in our community who may be ill, aged, or passing through difficult times, as well as to those in hospital or nursing homes, or just unable to get to church for whatever reason. Having Hilary on staff has also meant these needs can be realistically met, and enabled the Vicar to exercise a leadership role, not only in the parish, but across the Toorak community and the Diocese of Melbourne also. Marriage ministry remains a further area of significant investment, as we continue to support a Lay Minister (Gay Djumas), who liaises with all couples being married at St John s, and provides a stimulating, and rewarding, program of marriage education that receives excellent feedback from the many (sometimes reluctant) participants. We also invest heavily, and will continue to do so, in our music ministry and choir, under the extraordinary leadership of Professor Mel Waters, whose energy and enthusiasm have transformed the choir and is gradually acquiring for St John s a reputation for musical and choral excellence.
Finally, we are about to make a major investment in the provision of a full time Assistant Curate and Children s and Families Minister, who will join the Ministry Team in mid 2013. Already some good things are happening, with the commencement of a Messy Church children s service monthly. In the year s to come we hope to see our Sunday School grow and flourish, as well as outreach programs like Messy Church, as we progressively grow younger. Our new staff member will play a large and important role in this. So these are some of our areas of priority, and of vision and direction, in the year s ahead leadership, pastoral care, marriage ministry, the music ministry and choir, ministry to children and their families. Everything we do is, however, rightly grounded in who we are as the ancient Christian adage proclaims Lex orandi, lex credendi that is, what we pray, so we believe. This points to the centrality of the Prayer Book, of the liturgy, and of the conduct of worship, in Anglican polity. It tells the world around us if you want to know what Anglicans believe, come and see what we do, Sunday by Sunday - hear the words of our prayers (descended from the Book of Common Prayer), the proclamation of Holy Scripture, and the reciting of the historic Creeds of the church. For this reason, and for many others, Sunday worship is at the heart of all that we do at St John s, for it points to who we are. It is our greatest, and most important, witness, in the community and the world around us. For that reason, offering services of worship that reflect the beauty, dignity, and majesty of our God, and which are firmly rooted in the Anglican tradition, is always of prime importance to me, and I expect to all of us, at St John s Toorak. I hope that you share some of this vision, and look forward, as I do to seeing it, and moreover, to helping make it, happen! The Venerable Dr Bradly S Billings The Vicar
messy church from 4pm Sunday 4th November
Forthcoming events notice Sunday 4 th November: Parish barbecue after the 10am service, Messy Church at 4pm Sunday 11 th November: Service of Remembrance with RSL (10am) Sunday 18 th November: Annual Meeting of the Parish, following the 10am service Sunday 25th November: Feast Day of Christ the King Sunday 2 nd December: Parish barbecue after the 10am service, Messy Church at 4pm 7pm Ecumenical Advent Service at St Peter's. Our vicar, Brad, will preach.
This week at St John s Sunday 4 November Baptism of Amelia Vella during the 10.00am service. Barbeque to follow the 10.00am service. 12.00pm - Baptism of Isabella Fox. 12.30pm - Baptism of Keira Bibby. 4.00pm - 6.00pm - Messy Church. Monday 5 November 4.30pm - Wedding of Manning Scarfe and Simonette Foletti. Thursday 8 November 11.00am - Holy Communion Friday 9 November 4.00pm - Wedding of Ian Deutscher and Rosemary Parsons. Saturday 10 November 1.00pm - Wedding of Mehmet Eskici and Loredana Priolo. Saint John s Anglican Church, Toorak 86 Clendon Road Toorak 3142 Telephone : 9826 1765 Fax: 9826 4395 Email: enquiries@saintjohnstoorak.org Vicar Archdeacon Dr Bradly S Billings PH (mobile) 0421 638950 Email: vicar@saintjohnstoorak.org Associate Priest Revd Hilary Roath associate@saintjohnstoorak.org Director of Music & Organist Professor Mel Waters music@saintjohnstoorak.org Marriage Ministry Co-ordinator Ms Gay Djumas marriagemin@saintjohnstoorak.org Administration Mrs Sally Robertson Prayer Chain Co-ordinator Mrs Annette Wilson 9822 8968 St John s on-line Website: www.saintjohnstoorak.org